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WORKING ACTS

In a sideshow, there is a hierarchy with the highest-paid performers being the natural-born freaks. Working Acts– like sword swallowers, fire-eaters, snake handlers, magicians (especially)– were considered interchangeable. Every season the show needed a sword swallower, a fire eater, a snake handler and snakes, and a magician. The word would go out and often on the smaller shows the performer willing to work the cheapest (and willing to work sober enough not to vomit on the marks) got the job. The genre of Working Acts also produced some very unusual performers whose eccentric skills could hardly be displayed anywhere other than the sideshow.

See also: Human Pincushions

See also: Circassians

See also: Ethnic Curiosities

See also: Gurners and Grimacers

See also: Fakirs

See also: Hunger Artists

See also: Regurgitators and Water Spouters

See also: Snake Acts

See also: Sword Swallowers

See also: Tattooed People

See also: Wild Folk

See also: Sword Ladders

See also: Human Ostrich

See also: Electric, Magnetic, X-Ray Acts

See also: Human Blockhead

See also: Glass Eaters

See also: Bed of Nails/Nail Board

See also: Sword-Box

Performers in this category:

Ki Ki Blitz

Captain Rudolf Ivanovich

Milly D’Arcy

Olof Krarer

“The Great Waldo”

Alfred Langevin

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